Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
750–25K
15325–50K
23950–75K
15975–100K
158100–150K
76150K+
860 reports with mileage · 212 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 681 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
44 crash reports21 fire reports34 injury reports
What owners actually said
1,072 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2011
Electrical System
THE GAUGES ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS ARE ACTING ERRATICALLY. THE RPM AT IDLE SITS AT ABOUT 3 AND WHEN I'M IN DRIVE IF RANGES FROM 4 TO 5 WITH VERY LITTLE ACCELERATION. THE SPEEDOMETER HAS STARTED DOING THE SAME THING WHEN TRAVELING AT ABOUT 35 TO 40 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERS 140 MPH. WHEN TURNING THE CAR OFF THE GAUG…
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THE GAUGES ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS ARE ACTING ERRATICALLY. THE RPM AT IDLE SITS AT ABOUT 3 AND WHEN I'M IN DRIVE IF RANGES FROM 4 TO 5 WITH VERY LITTLE ACCELERATION. THE SPEEDOMETER HAS STARTED DOING THE SAME THING WHEN TRAVELING AT ABOUT 35 TO 40 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERS 140 MPH. WHEN TURNING THE CAR OFF THE GAUGE INDICATORS DON'T GO BACK TO THEIR DESIGNATED STARTING POSITIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10379369
101,792 miles · Jan 25, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA XF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED AND WOULD NOT INDICATE AT WHAT SPEED THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,792.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA XF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED AND WOULD NOT INDICATE AT WHAT SPEED THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,792.
NHTSA ODI #10378630
123,000 miles · Jan 25, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED WITH TWO INCORRECT PINS WH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED WITH TWO INCORRECT PINS WHICH RESULTED TO THE FAILURE. THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 123,000.
NHTSA ODI #10378566
78,000 miles · Jan 21, 2011
SteeringSuspension
CLICKING NOISE IN FRONT END WHENEVER I TURN RIGHT. JACKED UP OFF THE GROUND THERE IS NO NOISE WHEN IN GEAR AND TURNING RIGHT. IS IT STEERING OR SUSPENSION PROBLEM. REPLACED BOTH CV JOINTS AND HUBS. STILL CLICKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10378158
31,000 miles · Jan 19, 2011
Electrical System
2004 CHEVY IMPALA SPEEDOMETER GIVES ERRATIC READINGS. NOTE COMPLAINTS ONLINE ARE VERY HIGH WITH SAME PROBLEM . VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR SAFETY REASONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10377940
57,500 miles · Jan 17, 2011
Electrical System
THE SPEEDOMETER ( COMPONENT 1 ) HAS FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. IT BEGAN BY OPERATING ERRATICALLY ON THE DATE ENTERED ABOVE AND HAS PROGRESSED TO NOT WORKING AT ALL MOST OF THE TIME OR DISPLAYING THE WRONG SPEEDS I.E. 70 MPH WHILE SITTING STILL. THE TACHOMETER ( COMPONENT 2 ) IS ALSO SHOWING THE SAME SIGNS TO COMPLETE FAILURE BY DISP…
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THE SPEEDOMETER ( COMPONENT 1 ) HAS FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. IT BEGAN BY OPERATING ERRATICALLY ON THE DATE ENTERED ABOVE AND HAS PROGRESSED TO NOT WORKING AT ALL MOST OF THE TIME OR DISPLAYING THE WRONG SPEEDS I.E. 70 MPH WHILE SITTING STILL. THE TACHOMETER ( COMPONENT 2 ) IS ALSO SHOWING THE SAME SIGNS TO COMPLETE FAILURE BY DISPLAYING UNREALISTIC ENGINE SPEEDS WHILE AT IDLE. I CONTACTED A DEALER WHO RAN THE VIN AND FOUND NO RECALLS. I HOWEVER HAVE RESEARCHED THIS MATTER ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE THAT APPEARS TO POINT TO THE STEPPER MOTORS USED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS BY GM TO BE THE PROBLEM. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT GM HAS RECALLED SEVERAL MODELS OF THE SAME ERA DUE TO THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT THE IMPALA LINE. I FAIL TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE SAME PROBLEM IS RECALLED FOR SOME BUT NOT ALL AFFECTED MODELS.
NHTSA ODI #10377616
102,000 miles · Jan 14, 2011
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS GO OFF WHILE DRIVING, THEN COME BACK ON AUTOMATICALLY. SOMETIMES WHEN THEY GO OFF THEY ARE OFF FOR UP TO 5 MINUTES. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AS YOU DO NOT KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10376748
54,000 miles · Jan 13, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 65 MPH. SHE TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY PUMPING THE BRAKES A COUPLE OF TIMES UNTIL IT FINALLY STARTED TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE M…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 65 MPH. SHE TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY PUMPING THE BRAKES A COUPLE OF TIMES UNTIL IT FINALLY STARTED TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.
NHTSA ODI #10376552
76,000 miles · Jan 11, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. SOMETIMES IT READ 90 MPH WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED. SOMETIMES IT READ THE SAME THING (LIKE 10 MPH) ALL THE TIME. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT SPEED I WAS ACTUALLY GOING, PRESENTING A SAFETY HAZARD. PROBLEM WAS GONE THE NEXT DAY, BUT CONTINUES TO BE RANDOM AND INTERMITTENT.
NHTSA ODI #10377296
86,281 miles · Jan 11, 2011
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER ON 2004 ACTING ERRATIC OR NON-FUNCTIONING AT TIMES. MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WITH 86,281 MILES. *TR
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14574.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH LOWER THAN SPECIFIED TORQUE ON BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPER TO STEERING KNUCKLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS. WITH IMPROPER TORQUE, THE CLAMP LOAD AT THE JOINT MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE TO PREVENT MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE CALIPER BRACKET AND KNUCKLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DEPENDING ON WHETHER ONE OR BOTH BOLTS BACKS OUT OR FRACTURES, THE RESULT CAN BE LOCKING OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL DURING BRAKING AND AN ABRUPT STEERING INPUT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LOCKED WHEEL, REDUCED BRAKING AND NOISE FROM THE AFFECTED WHEEL, OR SEVERING OF A BRAKE HOSE, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, AND REDUCED STEERING CONTROL. REDUCED BRAKING OR STEERING CONTROL COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO TIGHTEN BOTH BOLTS TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC 1-800-620-7668.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2004 Chevrolet Impala Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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